Since researchers believed cholesterol levels contribute greatly to heart disease, pharmaceutical companies focused on developing a drug that might be marketed to millions when they first began searching for a "cure" to what is known as "hardening of the arteries." After a historical journey beginning in the mid-20th century,3 the first statin drug was released in 1987 โ lovastatin.
The way statin drugs work is by preventing a certain enzyme from carrying out its function in the body. This was first tested with fungi broths and then later in animals, and in both cases it lowered plasma cholesterol. Millions of people now take statins on the advice of their physicians with the hope of extending their life and reducing their risk of heart disease. One Johns Hopkins cardiologist explains a dangerous evolution of statin use:4
Traditionally, statins were viewed as purely cholesterol-lowering drugs. So it made sense just to use them for people with high cholesterol. But we've learned that they also benefit people with lower levels of cholesterol who are at a high risk of heart disease. So we now think of statins as risk-reducing drugs.As mainstream medicine continues to prescribe statin medications to a growing number of patients whether they currently have cholesterol levels deemed higher than normal or not, others are warning this trend is likely placing more people at risk than it is helping.
As I have reported, a 2015 review of statin trials found that in primary prevention trials, the median postponement of death in those taking statins was just 3.2 days. In exchange for an additional 3.2 days, those taking statins may experience heart damage and have an increased risk of dementia.5,6
Do You Experience Statin Brain?
Dr. Beatrice Golomb is a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, whose recent research has focused on statin use. In her answer to a question by a Scientific American reader, she writes about how statins affect your neurological system and, more specifically, your brain:7
Between 2003 and 2012 roughly one in four Americans aged 40 and older were taking a cholesterol-lowering medication, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But studies show that statins can influence our sleep and behavior โ and perhaps even change the course of neurodegenerative conditions, including dementia.By 2016, the recommendations for statins widened when the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published new guidelines in which they indicated statins should be started in people between the ages of 40 and 758 who have at least one risk factor for heart disease. This recommendation resulted in 35 million who are currently prescribed statin medications.9
In 2015, my colleagues and I observed that women taking statins, on average, showed increased aggression; men typically showed less, possibly because of reduced testosterone levels. Some men in our study did experience a marked increase in aggression, which was correlated with worsening sleep.
Golomb has found the drugs produce different effects based on a person's medical history, the drug they are taking and the dose.10 She's found that while adverse drug reactions have been reported with statin use, there are not a lot of published studies having to do with mood and behavioral changes related to statin use.
In 12 case studies, Golomb found changes that started after statin use was begun and persisted or progressed as the drug was continued. Reports of violent ideation, suicide, irritability and depression were resolved when the drug was discontinued. A sample of the reports include:
- Suicide after simvastatin was taken for 5 days
- Depression in a woman in her 50s after taking simvastatin 10 mg for 2 weeks
- Depression and aggression in a man in his 50s after taking atorvastatin 20 mg for 1 month
- Suicide in a man in his 40s after taking atorvastatin 10 mg for several months
There are lines of evidence converging. Even adjusting for confounding factors, it was still the case that people with lower cholesterol at baseline were significantly more likely to be arrested for violent crimes.
Science Ignoring Impact of Drugs on Personality Change
While physiological changes are testable, psychological and personality changes are less objectively measured. Results from one survey12 in 2016 demonstrated that despite media attention to normalize mental health issues, 12 million adults in the U.K. with mental health issues did not seek help, mainly because they were embarrassed.
There is evidence to support that those with naturally low cholesterol may experience greater aggression and anger. In a study13 of 4,852 children ages 6 to 16, researchers found that those whose cholesterol was less than 145 mg/dL were three times more likely to be suspended from school than those whose levels were higher.
The researcher speculated the stress from being suspended may have reduced cholesterol concentrations. However, other studies demonstrate that stress increases, rather than reduces, cholesterol levels.14 Lowering cholesterol levels appears to affect serotonin levels in the brain as demonstrated in animal studies involving fruit flies15 and fish.16
In the fish study, as cholesterol levels reduced, levels of serotonin altered, and the fish became more aggressive. Golomb is convinced lowering cholesterol levels by using statins influences the way your brain functions.
However, she is more concerned about the lack of interest in the science community of the impact that seemingly ordinary drugs have on personality and aggression. One pain researcher from Ohio University also noticed this issue:17
There is a remarkable gap in the research actually, when it comes to the effects of medication on personality and behaviour. We know a lot about the physiological effects of these drugs - whether they have physical side effects or not, you know. But we don't understand how they influence human behaviour.The BBC reports the U.S. purchases 49,000 metric tonnes (54,013 tons) of paracetamol (acetaminophen) every year, enough for each person to take 298 tablets in a year. At the same time, Americans are spending an average of $1,200 per person on prescription drugs. As people get older, the dependence on drugs may get even worse.
Statins Increase Your Risk of Health Problems
One of the side effects of statin medications is that they deplete your body of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). This might explain some of the devastating, long-term results experienced by those taking the medication. As early as 2002 it was strongly suggested18 that the FDA should issue a black box warning to advise patients and physicians of the depletion of CoQ10, but in 2014 the FDA decided against it.19
CoQ10 is important because it can help manage heart failure.20 When taking statins, you may find yourself dealing with a reduction in vitamin K221 and, by extension, a higher risk of osteoporosis,22 brain disease23 and inappropriate calcification throughout the body.24
The use of statins also comes with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases,25 cataracts26 and musculoskeletal disorders.27 While the FDA reports liver complications are rare, one physician's search28 of the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) found 5,405 people who reported hepatitis or liver function abnormalities that were associated with only two different statin medications between 2006 and 2013.
Researchers also found that those taking statins have a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes.29 In one published study,30 22 professional athletes with familial hypercholesterolemia were followed for eight years and treated with different statins. Of the 22, only six tolerated at least one drug. In only three of the six could training performance continue without limitation.
Rising Number of Seniors Taking Too Many Prescriptions
In the U.K. more than 10% of the general population over age 65 takes at least eight prescribed medications every week.31 The New York Times32 reports the average person in their mid- to late 60s in the U.S. takes 15 prescription drugs each year, which doesn't consider the number of over-the-counter products they might also be taking.
Comment: And if 15 is the average, think of how many people would be taking more than that. And think about how many medications the person taking the most might be on.
The use of multiple prescription drugs is called polypharmacy, which is common among the elderly and especially those in nursing homes. Polypharmacy may increase hospitalizations with a high number of complications, increased rates of death and excessive health care costs.33
One of the hidden dangers of taking drugs with significant side effects, such as statins, is that one drug is often prescribed in order to take care of the side effects of another. Drug interactions can then cause hospitalization and sometimes the interactions may lead to death.
Simple Strategies to Normalize Your Cholesterol Levels
Consider using simple strategies to normalize your cholesterol levels. I believe a total cholesterol measurement has little benefit in evaluating your risk for heart disease unless the number is over 300.
In some instances, high cholesterol may indicate a problem, provided it's your LDL or triglycerides and you have low HDL. A better evaluation of your risk of heart disease are the following two ratios in combination with other lifestyle factors, such as your iron level and diet:
- HDL/Cholesterol ratio โ Divide your HDL level by your cholesterol. This ratio should ideally be above 24 percent
- Triglyceride/HDL ratio โ Divide your triglyceride level by your HDL. This ratio should ideally be below 234
Additionally, in my article "Nearly Half of American Adults Have Cardiovascular Disease," I summarize additional strategies you may use to improve microcirculation in your heart. I also talk about mitochondrial function and insulin resistance, which are related to strong heart health.
Sources and References
- 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- 2 JAMA, 2016;316(19) Conclusion
- 3 Clinical Correlations, January 11, 2019
- 4 Johns Hopkins Medicine, How Statin Drugs Protect the Heart
- 5 Frontiers in Neurology, 2018; doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00952
- 6 Clinical Cardiology 2009 Dec;32(12):684-9
- 7 Scientific American, July 1, 2016
- 8 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force November 2016
- 9 Drugs.com September 20, 2018
- 10 Scientific American] In a publication of case studies, [Drug Safety Case Reports. 2016;3:1 Abstract
- 11, 17 BBC Future, January 8, 2020
- 12 Mental Health Today, May 10, 2016
- 13 Pharmacy Times, June 1, 2005
- 14 The Wall Street Journal February 8, 2016
- 15 Naturegenics, 2007; 39:678
- 16 Biology Open, 2018; 7
- 18 Holistic Primary Care, October 15, 2002
- 19 Lawyers and Settlements, January 16, 2015
- 20 BMJ Open Heart, 2015;2:e000326 doi:10.1136/openhrt-2015-000326
- 21 Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 2015;8(2)
- 22 Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2017;2017:6254836
- 23 Frontiers in Neurology, 2019;10:239
- 24 Integrative Medicine, 2015;14(1):34
- 25 Movement Disorders 2015; doi.org/10.1002/mds.26152
- 26 JAMA Ophthalmology 2013;131(11):1427
- 27 JAMA Internal Medicine 2013;173(14):1318
- 28 Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Adverse Effects of Statin Drugs: A Physician Patient's Perspective
- 29 Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews, May 2019; doi.org/10.1002/dmrr.3189
- 30 British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2004 Apr; 57(4): 525
- 31 ageUK, More Harm Than Good
- 32 The New York Times, December 16, 2019
- 33 Clinical Interventions and Aging, 2016;11:497
- 34 Clinics, 2008;63(4)
As a result of this experience, I swore off all big pharma medicines and took a more natural approach to what ails me. I am in much better health today than I was 2 decades ago and big medicine had nothing to do with it.
B.C.